Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies bring together two beloved treats into one amazing dessert. These chewy cookies, loaded with chocolate, caramel, nougat, and peanuts, are sure to become a new family favorite. Follow this recipe for a delightful sweet treat.
Key Takeaways
- Learn to bake delicious Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies from scratch.
- Find a detailed list of ingredients, including miniature Snickers bars.
- Master the steps for stuffing and baking perfect chewy cookies.
- Get expert tips for storage and achieving ideal cookie texture.
- Discover fun variations to customize your candy bar cookies.
Imagine a cookie. Soft, chewy, peanut butter perfection. Now add a whole Snickers bar. It’s a sweet, gooey surprise. Pure candy bar cookie bliss.
Best Snickers Cookies You Must Try
When the craving for a truly satisfying dessert strikes, these Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies are the answer. Combining the rich, nutty flavor of classic peanut butter cookies with the irresistible chewiness of a Snickers bar, this recipe creates an extraordinary sweet treat. Each bite offers a delightful blend of creamy peanut butter, smooth chocolate, sticky caramel, and crunchy peanuts, all encased in a soft, homemade cookie. It’s truly a match made in dessert heaven, promising to be a crowd-pleaser for any gathering or a special indulgence just for you.
Your New Favorite Peanut Butter Treat
Forget ordinary cookies; these peanut butter cookies are elevated by the exciting surprise inside. The ingenious idea of stuffing a miniature Snickers bar into each cookie dough ball transforms a simple bake into a memorable experience. The warmth of the oven melts the Snickers, creating a gooey, irresistible center that contrasts beautifully with the soft exterior. These candy bar cookies are not just a snack; they are an adventure in every bite. If you enjoy other delightful baked goods, you might also like these Peanut Butter Brownie Swirl Cookies, offering another fantastic take on peanut butter desserts. Learn more about the history and types of these popular baked goods on Wikipedia’s Cookie page.
Snickers Cookies: Gather All Ingredients
Creating the best Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies starts with having all your ingredients ready. Accuracy in measurement and quality ingredients are key to achieving that perfect chewy cookie texture and rich flavor. This simple list brings together pantry staples with that special Snickers touch, ensuring your homemade snickers cookies are nothing short of spectacular.
Softened Butter, Sugars, Peanut Butter
- Unsalted Butter (softened): About 1/2 cup (1 stick). Softened butter is crucial for creaming smoothly with sugars, creating a light, airy base for your dough.
- Granulated Sugar: 1/2 cup. Provides sweetness and helps with browning.
- Brown Sugar (packed): 1/2 cup. Adds moisture, chewiness, and a subtle caramel note that complements the Snickers bar.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: 1/2 cup. Choose a smooth, creamy variety, not natural-style, for the best dough consistency. It forms the backbone of these delicious peanut butter cookies.
Eggs, Vanilla, Flour, Baking Soda
- Large Egg: 1. Acts as a binder and adds richness.
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon. Enhances all the other flavors.
- All-Purpose Flour: 1 1/4 cups. The structural base of your cookie.
- Baking Soda: 1 teaspoon. Helps the cookies rise and achieve a soft texture.
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon. Balances the sweetness and brings out the flavors.
Miniature Snickers Bars
- Miniature Snickers Bars (unwrapped): Approximately 24 bars. These are the star of your stuffed cookies, delivering that iconic chocolate, caramel, nougat, and peanut goodness in every bite. Ensure they are chilled to make wrapping easier.
Prepare Oven and Baking Sheets
Proper preparation before you begin mixing is crucial for successful baking. Taking these simple steps ensures an even bake and prevents your delicious Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies from sticking, making the entire process smoother and more enjoyable. A well-prepared workspace contributes significantly to the final quality of your chewy cookies.
Preheat Oven to 375°F (190°C)
Preheating your oven to the correct temperature is a non-negotiable step in baking. An oven that is fully preheated ensures that your cookies start baking immediately at the right heat, leading to consistent rising and browning. If the oven isn’t hot enough, cookies might spread too much or bake unevenly. Give your oven at least 15-20 minutes to reach and stabilize at 375°F (190°C).
Line Sheets with Parchment Paper
Lining your baking sheets with parchment paper is a fantastic trick for easy cleanup and perfectly baked Snickers cookies. Parchment paper prevents sticking, promotes even baking, and makes transferring the warm cookies a breeze. You can also use silicone baking mats if you prefer, but avoid greasing the sheets directly as it can cause the cookies to spread excessively. Having your sheets ready means you can quickly place your dough balls once they are stuffed and ready to bake.
Cream Wet Dough for Best Snickers
The creaming method is foundational for many cookie recipes, especially for achieving light and tender results with your Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies. This step incorporates air into the butter and sugar mixture, which contributes to the cookies’ texture and rise. Take your time with this part; it truly makes a difference in the final homemade snickers cookie quality.
Cream Butter, Sugars, Peanut Butter
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and creamy peanut butter. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat these ingredients together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined. This process typically takes about 2-3 minutes. The sugars will dissolve slightly into the butter and peanut butter, creating a smooth, cohesive base that’s essential for these delightful peanut butter cookies. Ensure there are no lumps of butter remaining.
Beat in Eggs and Vanilla
Once your butter and sugar mixture is light and fluffy, crack in the large egg. Continue beating on medium speed until the egg is fully incorporated into the dough. This usually takes about 30 seconds to 1 minute, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is mixed. Finally, add the vanilla extract and beat for another 15-20 seconds until just combined. Overmixing at this stage can develop too much gluten in the flour later, leading to tough cookies. For other quality baked goods, remember that attention to detail, like in Quick Italian Cream Cake, can elevate any dessert.
Whisk Dry Ingredients Separately
Preparing your dry ingredients separately might seem like an extra step, but it’s vital for creating consistently textured Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies. This method ensures that all the leavening agents and flavor enhancers are evenly distributed throughout the dough, preventing pockets of unmixed ingredients and promoting a uniform rise and chewiness in every single cookie.
Combine Flour, Baking Soda, Salt
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Use a whisk to thoroughly combine these dry ingredients. This action breaks up any lumps in the flour and evenly disperses the baking soda and salt, which are critical for the cookies’ structure and flavor. When baking, always remember that proper distribution of leavening agents is key to achieving the desired outcome, whether you’re making chewy cookies or any other baked treat.
Form Delicious Snickers Cookies Dough
Bringing together the wet and dry mixtures is where your cookie dough truly takes shape. This step requires a gentle hand to ensure the perfect texture for your stuffed cookies. Overmixing can lead to a tough cookie, so aim to mix just until everything is combined. This careful process contributes significantly to the final deliciousness of your homemade Snickers cookies.
Gradually Mix Wet and Dry
With your wet ingredients creamed and your dry ingredients whisked, it’s time to combine them. Add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture in two or three gradual additions. Mix on low speed, or by hand with a spatula, until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; stop as soon as you no longer see streaks of dry flour. The dough for these peanut butter cookies should be soft and pliable, yet firm enough to handle for stuffing. Once combined, your Snickers cookie dough is ready for its sweet filling.
How to Stuff Snickers Cookies
The magic of these Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies truly comes alive in the stuffing process. Encasing the miniature candy bar within the dough ensures a molten, gooey surprise in every bite. This step is where these truly become delightful candy bar cookies, providing that signature burst of chocolate, caramel, and nougat. Proper sealing is key to keeping the filling intact during baking.
Flatten Dough, Add Snickers Bar
Take about 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons of the cookie dough and flatten it into a disc shape in the palm of your hand. The disc should be wide enough to comfortably hold a miniature Snickers bar in the center. Place one chilled miniature Snickers bar directly in the middle of the flattened dough. Ensuring the Snickers bars are chilled helps them maintain their shape and prevents them from melting too quickly as you work, making them easier to handle and wrap.
Wrap and Seal into Ball
Carefully wrap the cookie dough around the Snickers bar, pinching the edges of the dough together to completely seal it. Gently roll the dough in your hands to form a smooth ball, ensuring the Snickers bar is fully enclosed and no gaps are visible. This creates a perfect little package ready for baking. Repeat this process with the remaining dough and Snickers bars. For more information on the iconic treat that inspires these delicious stuffed cookies, visit Wikipedia’s Snickers page.
Bake Your Snickers Cookies Perfectly
Baking is where the transformation happens, turning simple dough balls into warm, golden Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies. Precision in placement and timing is essential to achieve that perfect chewy texture with slightly crisp edges. These instructions will guide you to beautifully baked homemade snickers cookies every time, ensuring each one is a delightful experience.
Place Balls 2 Inches Apart
Arrange the stuffed cookie dough balls on your prepared baking sheets, making sure to leave about 2 inches of space between each one. This spacing is important because the cookies will spread slightly as they bake. Overcrowding the baking sheet can lead to uneven baking and cookies sticking together, compromising their shape and texture. Give each of your delicious candy bar cookies the space it needs to bake beautifully.
Bake Until Edges are Golden
Bake the Snickers cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers still look soft. The cookies might appear slightly underbaked in the middle, but they will continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet. Avoid overbaking, as this can lead to dry, crumbly cookies instead of the desired chewy cookie texture. Keep an eye on them towards the end of the baking time to achieve perfection.
Cool Snickers Cookies for Freshness
The cooling process is a critical, often overlooked step that greatly impacts the final texture and stability of your Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies. Rushing this stage can lead to cookies that break apart or are too soft to handle. Allowing them to cool properly ensures they firm up beautifully, retaining their shape and chewy goodness, making them easier to enjoy and store.
Rest 5 Minutes on Sheet
Once your Snickers cookies are out of the oven, resist the urge to move them immediately. Let them rest on the hot baking sheet for about 5 minutes. During this time, the residual heat from the baking sheet continues to cook the cookies gently and allows their delicate structure to set. This initial cooling period prevents them from falling apart when you transfer them, especially with the gooey melted Snickers bar inside. This wait is crucial for all dessert recipes, especially for those that are soft and gooey right out of the oven.
Transfer to Wire Rack
After the initial 5-minute rest on the baking sheet, carefully transfer the warm Snickers cookies to a wire cooling rack. Allow them to cool completely on the rack. Cooling on a wire rack ensures air circulation all around the cookies, preventing them from becoming soggy on the bottom and helping them achieve a uniform chewy texture. Once fully cooled, your homemade Snickers cookies are ready to be enjoyed or stored for later indulgence.
Must Try Snickers Cookies: Expert Tips
To truly master these Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies, a few expert tips can make all the difference. These insights will help you achieve the perfect texture, ensure optimal freshness, and even inspire you to experiment with new ideas. Following these baking tips will elevate your homemade Snickers cookies from good to absolutely unforgettable, making every batch a success.
Store in Airtight Container
To keep your Snickers cookies fresh and chewy, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will remain soft and delicious for up to 3-4 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze the baked cookies in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months. Simply thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy a sweet treat. For maximum gooeyness, you can even warm a frozen cookie slightly in the microwave after thawing.
Achieving Softer Cookies
For an even softer, chewier Snickers cookie, consider slightly underbaking them by a minute or two, ensuring the edges are barely set. The residual heat will continue to cook them as they cool. Another trick is to add an extra egg yolk to the dough, which contributes to moisture and tenderness. Also, using brown sugar predominantly over white sugar helps retain moisture. Experiment to find your perfect chewy cookies! If you love a variety of cookie textures, check out our recipe for Blueberry Muffin Cookies with Streusel.
Snickers Cookies Recipes: Flavor Variations
While the classic Snickers Peanut Butter Cookie is undeniably delicious, don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment with flavor variations. These candy bar cookies offer a fantastic canvas for your culinary imagination. Customizing your homemade Snickers cookies with different fillings or additions can introduce exciting new taste experiences, making them even more versatile and appealing for any occasion.
Try Other Candy Bar Fillings
The concept of stuffed cookies can easily be applied to other candy bars! Instead of Snickers, try using miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Milky Way, Twix, or even Caramello bars for a different take on the gooey center. Each candy bar will bring its unique profile of chocolate, caramel, nougat, or peanut butter, transforming these into truly personalized candy bar cookies. It’s a fun way to create a variety of sweet treats for a dessert platter.
Add Chocolate Chips or Oats
Beyond changing the core filling, you can also mix in additional ingredients to the cookie dough itself. Adding 1/2 cup of chocolate chips (milk, dark, or white) will intensify the chocolate flavor, while a handful of rolled oats can add a delightful chewiness and subtle nutty flavor, complementing the peanut butter. A sprinkle of sea salt on top before baking can also enhance the flavors. Share your favorite variations and baking adventures by following us on Pinterest and Instagram!
Quick Facts: Time and Servings
Planning your baking session for these Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies is easy with these quick facts. Knowing the prep time and yield helps you manage your time effectively and ensures you have enough of these delicious chewy cookies for everyone to enjoy. These homemade Snickers cookies are a sweet treat that’s both manageable and rewarding to bake.
Prep Time: 20 Minutes
The hands-on preparation for these incredible candy bar cookies is surprisingly quick. With just 20 minutes, you can have your dough mixed, stuffed, and ready for the oven. This makes them a perfect last-minute dessert or a fun activity to do with kids without spending hours in the kitchen.
Total Yield: 24 Cookies
This recipe yields approximately 24 delightful Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies. This generous batch is perfect for sharing at parties, packing into lunchboxes, or simply ensuring you have plenty of these irresistible homemade Snickers treats to satisfy your sweet cravings throughout the week. Enjoy every single one!